Distributing Holy Communion is ordinarily a liturgical task of the clergy. when there are great numbers of people at Mass, lay men and women who are installed in this ministry can serve; they are called "extraordinary" because they serve "outside of" the ordinary ministry of the clergy.
Men and women who feel called to this ministry must be fully initiated adult Catholics (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) and registered members of St. Mary Parish. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested and they will pass your name along to one of the parish priests who will invite you to this ministry.
Two training sessions are required: one by the Diocese of Cleveland and one “in-house” at St. Mary Parish. You must be able to attend both training sessions; the Diocese of Cleveland holds their training in the Spring and the Fall and St. Mary Parish schedules ours after the Diocesan ones have completed.
Ministering Eucharist to persons who are ill at home or in a rehab or nursing facility is a very spiritually fulfilling ministry. We have “teams” of parishioners that take turns calling on these individuals/facilities located within our parish. You must be a diocesan trained Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.